Camping First Aid Kit: Always Be Ready for the Uninvited Guest… Emergencies

A camping first aid kit is considered to be a staple for every outdoors person out there. When you’re active, vibrant or seemingly flamboyant in your outdoor or indoor activities, for that matter, there may be cases where the “whoops” or the “oh crap” just happens, leaving you or someone else with anything from a gaping wound to a minor scrape.

Whatever the case may be, for outdoor enthusiasts, a camping first aid kit absolutely NEEDS to be within arm’s reach. First aid kits were built to treat and to prevent, and when used correctly, the contents can fulfill their purpose.

With that being said, it’s extremely important that anyone who will be using the contents of the kit, learn the uses of all the items that it contains. This is what makes using the kit effective. But just what is the first aid kit and what does it contain? Let’s find out shall we?

What’s in the Box?

A traditional first aid kit is basically a collection of supplies and equipment, used to give medical treatment or care, and it can be packed together either by an individual or a group or team of people, or it can be purchased as a complete set.

There are two basic types of First Aid Kits

These make up the back-bone or skeletal structure of the first aid medical kit.

Commercial – these are available via normal retail routes and are usually intended for treatment or care of specifically minor injuries. The typical contents of these commercial kits include adhesive bandages, regular strength pain meds, gauze and low grade disinfectant.

Specialized – these are available for various regions, vehicles or activities, which may focus on specific risks or concerns related to that activity which may carry that risk. For example, first aid kits sold through marine supply stores (like the one shown below), for use in watercraft may contain seasickness remedies.

First Aid is all about the ABCs of treatment and care. And just what do we mean by that? All kits no matter what their content, must boil down to three key areas of concern. They are;

A – Airway

B – Breathing

C – Circulation

Most first aid kits today may also contain a suitable infection barrier for performing artificial respiration. Some examples of this includes the pocket mask and the face shield. Other more advanced kits may include a bag valve mask, manual aspirator or suction unit, oropharyngeal airway, nasopharyngeal airway, stethoscope and a blood pressure cuff.

Now for the regular outdoor enthusiast, it’s not uncommon to see a first aid kit packed among the many items which make that nature trip oh so exciting!

Now let’s be real here, so far, we’ve talked about the importance of the kit and how it can come in handy and all that, but when you’re talking about hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, fishing, camping, you’re not looking to lug an entire case on back in addition to your tools and essentials right?

So how can this possibly work? How can you keep things light, which is really important to you, and also ensure that you have all the necessaries, which is also really important? So this is where we get down to practical and functional business. The basic criteria that a first aid kit needs to meet for outdoor purposes are;

Quality and usefulness of the contents

The durability and design of the bag or case

Versatility

Weight and size of the entire kit

And of course it doesn’t hurt to consider affordability either, which of course, is a real nice bonus.

When it comes to selecting the right first aid kit for your camping needs, there are many out there to choose from. You have the option of getting ready-made kits of a variety of sizes to suit a variety of activities, although, there is no rule which says that you can’t put together your own kit.

Only you would know what your trip would be like and what type of dangers or mishaps you may encounter, (although these things can be quite unpredictable) so assembling your own kit is okay too.

Bringing it Closer to Home

For the outdoor enthusiast, there are two types of kits which when assembled, would reflect, the intended activities and the length of the trip; Day Use and Overnight Use.

Day Use First Aid Kits

These type of kits are meant for short trips and a few hour long hikes and excursions. Based on this short-term activity, the contents of this kit would address incidents such as minor scrapes and bruises that you may encounter on the trail.

In keeping with the activity, the content of this type of kit would look like;

Bandage Materials

Bandages – An assortment of bandages of various sizes

Gauze – These are used as dressings which come in 4 x 4 and 3 x 3 inch sizes.

Non-stick Sterile Pads – Which are applied directly to the injury and provides a seal of protection from the elements which would have otherwise worsen the injury or infect it.

Handling Protection

Medical or Surgical Gloves – It’s important to note that latex should be avoided as much as possible and it’s more advisable to opt for nitrile gloves.

Blisters & Burn Treatment

Blister Relief such as moleskin or glacier gel

CPR

A breathing barrier – This is used to protect the rescuer during CPR

Miscellaneous

Fine Point Tweezers – For splinters and other pointy objects

Safety Pins – to secure bandages or other dressings

Pain Relief Medication – Which is used to help reduce swelling and ease pain

Antihistamines – Used to treat allergic reactions from plants and animals

Insect Sting or Bites Relief – Treatment for stings and bites from animals

Antiseptic Towelettes – Used for cleaning and disinfecting injuries

Antibacterial Ointment – This is used for protection against infection if you get burns, cuts, scrapes and other injuries

Butterfly Bandages – This is used to help injuries close

Waterproof Medical Adhesive Tape – Used to keep bandages in place since you will be moving around. We advise that you use those which are waterproof to ensure that injuries which should not come into contact with water, are kept dry.

Overnight Use First Aid Kits

Because the length of this trip may be a few days or weeks, the content would be different than the Day Use kit. The content of this kit would look like;

Bandage Materials

Rolled Gauze – Used to wrap limbs after injury

Stretch to conform Rolled Bandages – such as the Conform Stretch Bandage

Liquid Bandages – These offer an alternative to keeping injuries from getting infected, which offers a breathable, flexible and waterproof barrier

Oval Eye Pads

Handling Protection

Medical or Surgical Gloves – It’s important to note that latex should be avoided as much as possible and it’s more advisable to opt for nitrile gloves.

Blisters & Burn Treatment

Hemostatic Gauze – This aids in blood clotting

A Medical Waste Bag & Gloves

Aloe Vera Gel – Used for sun exposure relief

Hydrogel-based Pads – These offer a nice soothing and cooling relief for burns and can also be used to help drain unwanted liquid from injuries

Fracture & Sprains

Elastic Wrap – For securing bandages and joints free from movement

A Triangular Cravat Bandage

Finger Splints

A Sam Splint

Athletic Tape

Miscellaneous

An irrigation Syringe with Catheter for flushing injuries

Steel Sewing Needle with Heavy Duty Thread

A Pocket Knife or Multi-Tool

Trauma Shears – Used to cut away clothing from an injured person

A Single Edge Razor Blade

Standard Oral Thermometer

First-aid Cleansing Pads – With topical anesthetic to kill germs

Cotton Balls and Cotton Tipped Swabs

A small bottle of Sterile Saline – Used to flush out foreign particles

Petroleum Jelly – In case of chaffing

Medications

Aspirin – For cases of heart attacks. However they should never be given to children

Antacid Tablets – To settle upset stomach

Loperamide Tablets – Used in cases of diarrhea

Throat Lozenges

A small Roll of Duct Tape

A Magnifying Glass

A Small Mirror

Personal Hygiene

Hand Sanitizer

Lubricating Eye Drops

Biodegradable Soap

A Water Treatment System

Anti-itch Eye Drops

Sunscreen

Lip Balm

Insect Repellant

Disposable Human Waste Bags

Durability and Design of the Case/Kit/Box/Bag

We are aware that this may not have been on your must check for list but the truth is, this factor is just as important as the contents of the kit itself. Reason for this, is that due to the type of trips and the length of trips you’d be taking, the material of the kit/bag/case/box is really important.

You want to be sure that the contents of the kit are protected at all times. Being weather resistant, is an added plus for a camping first aid kit.

Weight and Size

This part of the deciding factor is key as most camping enthusiasts want to and need to carry as much as they need but nothing that add unnecessary weight to their trip, and as much as the first aid kit is important, having a heavy kit would force you to lag behind and would deter you from enjoying the activity that you set out for.

The ideal camping first aid kit should weigh a minimum of at least 3 or 4 ounces and for the most, should weigh no more than 35 ounces.

Affordability

Finding the best kit for your budget is kind of tricky. When you have so much to look for and so many variations out there to considers including the purpose of the kit, deciding on which one is more cost effective is tricky.

As far as we are concerned, once that first aid kit serves its purpose, and does what it’s supposed to do, the price should be the furthest thing from your mind. But in reality, from what we’ve seen on the market, the REI Kits seems to get the nod of most customers with regards to content, versatility, durability and of course affordability.

Some Options

If the information we provided makes it easier to make your choice, then here are a few options to consider which can be found on Amazon. The top brands are from REI, Adventure Medical Kits, Lifeline Trail, Coleman, I Go, Oumers, ResQue, Total Resources International and many more.

Look For That Symbol

When looking for the ideal first aid kit, aside from looking at the contents, it’s important to analyze the outside as well. There is a symbol which adorns itself to the case/box/bag/kit which is easily identified with health care and first aid. Do read our article on how to select the best first aid kit for your needs.

A genuine product and first aid kit MUST carry one of either of these symbols. If they don’t, please don’t purchase it. There are four symbols which you may see. They are;

The ISO first aid symbol

The Alternate Version of the First Aid Symbol

Symbol of the Red Cross

Star of Life

Stay Safe

In Closing

So no matter what the occasion or excursion or outdoor trip that you’re on, once you leave the comfort of your home, be sure to carry with you, the items that you need to not only keep your outing a safe one, but also and enjoyable one too.

We’ve provided you with several bits of information to decide on which first aid kit out there would be the best one for you for your camping needs. But once you’ve made your choice, the idea is to stay safe, not go looking for trouble! See our review of the top backpacking first aid kit to help you choose the right one.

With several decades of experience as a backpacker and outdoor adventurer, Bradley is an open encyclopedia when it comes to gear, clothes, and other items that matter on the trail. He tested hundreds of shoes, pants, jackets, and backpacks in his long career and is always up to date with the new appearances in the niche. His experience makes him one of the authority figures in backpacking and he can help anyone to get prepared for a great adventure!

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